The Billikens softball team followed a 2-2 weekend in two separate two-game series against Atlantic 10 foes Temple and Saint Joseph’s by splitting a two-game series against Southeast Missouri State. The series splits bring the Billikens record to 22-32 overall and 8-10 in A-10 Conference play.
In the first game of their two-game set with the Temple Owls, the Billikens came out on the wrong side of a 6-5 affair.
The Billikens took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a double by Laura Bohning. Bohning put the Billikens up 5-2 in the fifth with her fourth homerun of the season.
In the bottom of the inning however, Temple’s Sarah Prezioso smashed a grand slam to put the owls up 6-5. Hannah Huebbe took the loss for the Billikens bringing her record to 10-13.
In the finale of the series with Temple, the Billikens were able to grab a 7-5 win to split the series. Rachel Faletto hit a two-run homerun for the Billikens in a three-run third inning to help the Billikens power past the Owls.
The Billikens added a run in the seventh to finish the scoring. Kelcie Matesa shut the door on the Owls by inducing a double play ball and ending the game with a strikeout.
In the first game of the double header the Billikens fell to the Hawks 2-0. The Billikens were unable to capitalize when they had the tying runner at the plate in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Julian Austin took the loss for the Billikens, surrendering 6 hits and dropping her record to 5-11 on the season.
In the second game of the double header, the Billikens edged the hawks by a score of 5-3 with Alyson Brand smashing the game-tying homerun in the sixth and Kelsey Biggs following up in the seventh with the game winning homerun.
Kelcie Matesa (6-7) picked up the win for the Billikens with two scoreless innings in relief.
Against SEMO, Austin threw a complete game five-hitter to shutout the Redhawks 1-0. Erin Harcar hit an RBI single to score Kerri Dockins for the lone Billiken run. After a six-run first inning, the Redhawks didn’t look back and cruised to a 6-1 victory in the nightcap.
The Billikens now have four games remaining before the A-10 championships start on May 9, including a double header against George Washington to close the season this coming Saturday May 5.
